Electric-arc lamp.



No. 710,374, I Patented Sept 30, 1902.

A. F. snone.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Application filed Nov. 9, 1399. Renewed. Feb. 15, 1902.

( No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

n1: Noams PETERS c0. PHOTO-LITHU, WASHINGTON. o. c

No. 710,374. Patented Sept. 30, I902. A. F. SHORE.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Application filed Nov. 9, 1899. Renewed Feb. 15, 1902.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-$heet 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS co, smmo-Lrwo.v vusumarcn, a.

No. 7|0',374. Patented Sept. 30, I902.

A. rfsuuns.

ELECTRIC ABC LAMP.

. Applicatiun filed Nov. 9, 1899. Renewed Feb. 15, 1902) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

mwfw W THE mums prrsns ca. PHOTO-LITHOY, WASNINGTON, u. c

UNITED STATES PATENT ()rmcn.

ALBERT FERDINAND SHORE, OF NETV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF T\VO- THIRDS TO DANIEL N. HURLBURT, OF NETV YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent N 0. 710,374, dated September 30, 1902.

Application filed November 9, 1899. Renewed February 15, 1902. Serial No. 94,217. No model.)

To all. whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT FERDINAND SHORE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Are- Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to arc-la|nps, more particularly to the kind in which the lightgiving carbons are in the form of flattened disks.

The object of my invention is to produce an arc-lamp which shall be certain in its action, economical to construct, and which by its small size shall be adapted for use in places from which the arc-lamp is at present excluded.

Another object of my invention is to produce a lamp which will require much less at tention than those at presentin use and whose carbons will burn for a longer period.

A further object is to provide an arc-lamp whose feeding mechanism is positive and uniform in its operation and which being in no manner dependent upon gravity forits workhorizon.

In my improved lamp the carbons are arranged in the form of a flattened disk, having a circular carbon ring as its outer circu mference and a thin web of preferably the same material, or instead of the Web 1 may form the inner portion of strips similar to the spokes on a wheel. In this way a relatively great length of carbon can be disposed within small limits, while by connecting the outer circle with a web or spokes a rigid and cheaply-formed carbon is obtained. I employ two of the ring disk carbons'mounted rotatably within the framework of the lamp at an angle to each other, so that the carbons will be maintained normally in contact and preserve the arc in its proper length and position as the carbons are consumed. For rotating the carbons I employ simple and effective mechanism whose motion is controlled entirely by the current flowing in the lamp, thereby securing a movement of the rotating parts which perfectly compensates the coning can be placed at any desired angle to the sumption of the carbon and insures the proper length of are.

My lamp is adapted for use on both alternating and direct current circuits.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l. is a vertical section through the lamp, some of the parts being shown in perspective. Fig. 2'is a side View, portions being cut away to show the carbons and the feeding mechanism and also the method of inserting and remov ing the carbons. Fig. 3 shows a top View of are striking and feeding mechanism; Fig. l, a side view of a portion of the feeding mechanism; Fig. 5, a section of the carboirholding frame and the method of making contact with the same.

In all the views similar refcrencc-numbcrs designate similar parts.

1 1 is the lamp-body proper, containing the carbons 2 2, the lower transparent portion 1 swinging by a hinge 3 on the upper metallic portion 1 and retained in position by the spring-catch a. The lamp being designed to work on the inclosed-arc principle, the joint between these two portions is made as nearly air-tight as possible by means of the asbestos or similar washer at.

Attached to the metallic top 1 is the frame 5 5, designed to serve as support for various portions of the rotating mechanism of the lamp.

5 is a piece of porcelain or other diflicultlyfusible insulator designed to protect the frame 5 5 from burning out through a short circuit or excessive heat.

Mounted rotatably on ball-bearings within the frame 5 is the shaft 6, carrying the carbonsupporting mechanism. Through this shaft, which acts as abushing, passes insulated the pin 7, electrically connected with the springframes 8, holding the carbon disks. These frames are held in position by the screw-nuts 9 9, whose outward movement is limited by the upset heads 10 of the screw ll. The carbons and their holding-frames turn in the frame 5 5 on bearings 12. Motion is imparted to the carbon-holders by means of roughened bevel-wheels 13 13, pressing against the bevelwheel 18 011 the main rotating shaft 1%. This shaft 14 is provided with a fixed collar 15, a

vertically-movable collar 16, a spiral spring 17, and ball-bearings at the top. The collar 16 is prevented from turning on the shaft 14 by a pin working in a vertical groove in said shaft. These cooperate to keep the pressure constant and sufficient between the bevelwheels 13 13 and 18. The maintaining of a constant and firm pressure between the gearwheel on the main feeding-shaft 14.- and those on the carbon-rotating frames is a necessity for even working of the lamp. By my arrangement there is no lost motion when the carbons turn forward or back ward,and, moreover, all transmission of vibration from electrical portions to the carbon-frames is prevented. This is especially necessary in the use of the alternating current.

19 is a sleeve for the shaft 1t.

20 is a spring insulated from the frame 5 for establishing electrical communication with the carbon rings through the pin 7,. frame 8, conductor 21, solenoid 22, and binding-posts 23 23.

The feeding mechanism contained in the casing 2tconsists of a gear-wheel 25, attached to the top of shaft 14, which meshes with a worm 26 on the shaft 27 ,su pported by bearings 28 in the standard 29. Attached to the shaft 27 is a U-shaped piece 30, and this U-shaped piece is caused to move'with the core 31 of the solenoid 22, being connected therewith by the hinged strip 32. On the shaft 27 is fastened a notched wheel 33, worked by the pawl 3i, attached to the lever 35, whose movements are limited by the retractile spring 37 and the back-stop 36. 38 is a spiral spring allowing the shaft 27 to shift laterally in its bearings.

38 is a boss fixed to the standard 29; 37, a corresponding boss attached to the U-shaped piece 30, having a cam-like projection adapted to engage with a corresponding shape on 38.

39 is a stop for limiting the descent of the U-shaped piece 30.

The method of operation is as follows: The carbon rings being normally in contact and the feeding mechanism being as shown in Fig. l, a current is sent through the lamp from the binding-posts 23 23. The course of the current is: binding-post 23, conductor 21, spring 20, pin 7, frame 8, carbon ring disk 2, to other carbon disk, frame 8, pin 7, spring 20, conductor 21, solenoid 22, to binding-post 223. This current in its passage energizes the solenoid 22, which acts as a magnet on the plunger-core 31, which begins'to be drawn into the solenoid. The first effect is to raise the Ushaped piece 30, attached to the shaft 27. This causes the shaft 27 to be urged laterally on the bearings 28 against the spiral spring 38, Fig. 3. In this movement the worm 20 acts like a rack, with the gear-wheel attached to the top of the shaft 14, the result being to transmit the motion, per bevel-wheels 18 13 13, to the carbon disks and separate their carbon. points, thus striking the are.

The increasing current causes the plungercore to be drawn farther into the solenoid until the predetermined length of arc has been attained. As the core 31 penetrates into the solenoid it draws with it the U-shaped piece until it contacts with the lever 35, which carries the dog 34:, working in the toothed feeding-wheel Should now by the consumptionofthecarbonsthe arc becomelonger, the resistance in the lamp will be increased. Consequently the magnetic strength of the solenoid will be decreased and the plunger will descend. The retractile spring 37 will then draw the lever downward. The pawl 345 will act on the toothed wheel 33, causing it to rotate. This rotation communicated to the worm 26, then to the gear-wheel 25, will impart rotation to the shaft 14, which motion being transmitted by the bevel-wheels 18 13 13 to the carbon disks will cause their rings to approach each other until the normal length of arc is again reached, when the same cycle of operations as at first starting will be repeated. It will thus be seen that each variation of current affects directly and immediately the feeding mechanism and that great steadiness in the arc must result.

The manner in which the carbons may be replaced is as follows: Fig. 2 shows that the carbon rings have a circular central orifice slightly smaller than the diameter of the retaining-frames S 8, a portion of whose circumference is cut away at each side 40 a0. By loosening the not 9 the carbons can be lifted over the edge of the frames 8 8 and either inserted or removed, as desired.

To render the arc-striking mechanism more clear, I will explain its construction in detail. Fastened to the standard 29 isa boss 38*, having a cam-like projection, and attached to the U-shaped lever-piece 30 is a similar boss with a similar cam -like projection. WVhen the mechanism is at rest and the lamp not working, these two projections fit into each other. As soon as the solenoid 22 be gins to pull on the U shaped piece 30 and turn it on its axis the cam projections react on each other and the shaft 27 is shifted laterally against the spiral spring 28. The result of this is, as hereinbefore explained, to effect the motion necessary for striking the arc.

Having thus fully described and illustrated my invention, what I claim is- 1. In an arc-striking mechanism for arelamps, the combination of a shaft movable longitudinally in its bearings, a rack on said shaft meshing with gearing regulating the movement of the arc-carbons, a lever turning freely on said shaft, and controlled by the current flowing in the circuit, and means on said shaft and its bearings for producing a longitudinally-directed motion of the shaft, substantially as set forth.

2. In an arc-feeding mechanism, the combination of a solenoid, a plunger-core, a lever attached to said core, and provided with a cam, a shaft, longitudinally movable in its ITO bearings, a fixed cam adapted to engage with the lever-cam, and means for transforming the longitudinal movement of the lever-shaft into a rotary motion of the arc-carbons, substantially as described.

3. In an arc-feeding mechanism, the combination of a solenoid, a plunger-core, a lever attached to and moving with said plunger, a longitudinally-movable shaft attached to said lever, a toothed wheel attached to the shaft, a second lever adapted to be engaged by the lever attached to the plunger, and provided with a pawl engaging with the toothed wheel for controlling the feeding mechanism, a retractile spring and stop for limiting the movement of the second lever, and means for transmitting the motion of the feeding mechanism to the light-giving carbons, substantially as described.

4. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a pair of carbon rings set at an angle to each other, frames for holding said carbons rotatably mounted on shafts arranged to transmit the current to the carbons. beveLwheels on said carbon-supporting shafts, a main r0- tating shaft having a bevel-wheel for engaging with and transmitting motion to the bevels on the carbon-supporting shafts, means for maintaining firm and constant contact between the bevel-wheel on the main shaft and the bevels 011 the carbon-supporting shafts, and means for causing the said main shaft to rotate in order to compensate varying lengths of the are, substantially as set forth.

5. In an arc-lamp, the combination of a pair of carbon disks or rings, forming an angle with each other and rotatably mounted 011 axes supported by the body of the lamp, means for transmitting the current to the rotary carbons, bevel-wheels on the carbonsupporting axes engaging with a bevel-wheel attached to the main rotating shaft, means for maintaining the frictional contact between the bevels on the carbon-supporting axes and the bevel on the main shaft, a toothed wheel mounted on the top of the main shaft, a worm engaging with said toothed wheel and mounted on an axis capable of rotary and longitudinal motion, a notched wheel attached to said axis and actuated by a pawl attached to a lever whose movements are controlled by a retractile spring and by a lever attached to the wormshaft, a plunger connected with this latter lever, and a solenoid, all cooperating to bring about the feeding action of the lamp, substantially as set forth.

6. In arc-feeding mechanism, the combination of a pair of circular carbon-holders, a main rotating shaft, cooperatin g bevel-wheels on the carbon-holders and on the main shaft, and a spring controlling the pressure between the bevel-wheels on the carbon-holders and on the main shaft, substantially as set forth.

7. In arc-feeding mechanism, the combination of a pair of circular carbon-holders, a main rotating shaft, cooperating bevel-wheels on the carbon-holders and 011 the main shaft, and means for maintaining constant and firm contact between the bevel-wheels on the carbon-holders and on the main shaft, substantiaily as described.

In arc-feeding mechanism, the combination of a pair of bevel-wheels for revolving the carbons, a bevel-wheel on the main shaft, a fixed collar attached to the main shaft, a collar movable along said shaft, bearings for said movable collar, and a spring for maintaining a firm pressure between the bevel-wheel on the main shaft and the carbon-revolvingbevelwheels, substantially as set forth.

9. In arc-feeding mechanism, the combination of a carbon-holding frame, a hollow shaft for said frame, a conducting-pin insulated from and revolving with said hollow shaft adapted for conducting the current to the carbon-holding fraine,substantially as described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 3d day of November, A. D. 1899.

ALBERT FERDINAND SHORE.

lVitn esses:

JOSEPH M. PRAY, A. STETSON. 

